JP2001318877A - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow plural physical entries to function as one node, and to save the resource of a node ID. SOLUTION: A concept being a sub-module is introduced to an IEEE 1394 serial bus protocol. A node being a logical entry can be constituted of at least one sub-module being a physical entry. At least one unit being a logical entry is included in the sub-module. In this case, the sub-modules can be discriminated by discriminating the units. Also, the plural sub-modules being the physical entries can exist in a node being one logical entry. Thus, it is possible to solve the problem that a node ID is wastefully consumed. For example, it is possible to allow the terminal of wireless equipment to function as a sub-module, and one certain wireless network to function as one IEEE 1394 node.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to, for example, IEEE
The present invention relates to an electronic device including a 1394 node. For more information,
By providing a node, which is one logical entry composed of a plurality of physical entries, a plurality of physical entries can be made to function as one node, and resource of a node ID can be saved. The present invention relates to electronic devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 shows an example of a node configuration using a conventional module. Reference [1] (IEEE Std 1394-1995),
Reference [2] (ISO / IEC 13213: 1994 (E), ANSI / IEEE Std 1212,1
994 Edition), the module (mo
dule) has 1 logical entry node (node)
Is defined as more than one. A node can be composed of one or more logical entries, ie, units.
It is further defined that a unit can be made up of one or more logical entries, subunits.

[0003] A method of accessing the unit will be described. Access to a unit does not affect the node to which it belongs or any other units that reside within that node. In addition, each unit has a document [1],
CSR (Control and Status Registe) defined in [2]
In the address space of rs), independent addresses are assigned. A 10-bit bus ID (bus_ID) of a unit existing in the same node and a 6-bit node I
D (node_ID) has the same value. Individual access to these addresses allows individual access to the unit. This access method is described in detail in the above-mentioned documents [1] and [2].

FIG. 7 shows an example of CSR addressing. Since the 16-bit field determined by the bus ID and the node ID is omitted, the 48-bit node C
The address space of the SR is shown. The numbers in the figure represent register addresses in hexadecimal notation. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the address areas of the units A, B, and C are assigned to the CSR address area.

Addresses A to D each represent an address value.
Assume that the unit from address B to address C is assigned to unit B, and the unit from address C to address D is assigned to unit C. The addresses of these units A to C, that is, the address offset information of each unit, are recorded in the unit directory (Unit_derectory) of the configuration (Configuration) ROM.

[0006] In a unit, one or more subunits, which are logical entries, can be arranged. Like access to units, access to these subunits
It can be done freely within the CSR address space.

FIG. 8 shows an example of a serial bus configuration using the conventional module shown in FIG. Module 12
a, 12b, 12c (modules A, B, C)
They are connected by the IEEE1394 serial bus 11 defined in [1]. The modules 12a, 12b, and 12c are physical entries defined in document [1], and function as nodes A, B, and C, respectively.

The modules 12a, 12b, and 12c include an IEEE1394 communication unit 13a, 13b, and 13c, a storage unit 14a, 14b, and 14c, and a host controller 15 respectively.
a, 15b and 15c. Where IEEE1394
The communication unit has functions of an IEEE1394 link layer and a physical layer. It may include a transaction layer. The storage unit includes a RAM and a ROM that function as CSRs described in documents [1] and [2]. The host controller is IEEE1394
Transaction layer and application layer.

[0009]

In a wireless communication environment using infrared rays, radio waves, or the like, when it is desired that a plurality of wireless devices function as one IEEE1394 node, FIG.
This cannot be realized with the node configuration shown in FIG. The reason is that a plurality of physical entries cannot function as one logical entry, ie, the IEEE1394 node. Thus, each of the wireless devices has no choice but to function as an independent logical entry, an IEEE 1394 node. In this case, node IDs are consumed by the number of wireless devices to be present as nodes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device capable of causing a plurality of physical entries to function as one node and saving resource of a node ID.

[0011]

An electronic device according to the present invention includes a node which is one logical entry constituted by a plurality of physical entries. For example, a physical entry has units or subunits that are logical entries.

According to the present invention, a plurality of physical entries (submodules) can function as one node. Further, in the present invention, one node ID is consumed by a plurality of logical entries constituting the node, and the resource of the node ID can be saved.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present invention, the concept of a submodule is introduced into the IEEE 1394 serial bus protocol. A submodule is one physical entry, and a node that is one logical entry can be formed using one or more submodules.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a node configuration using sub-modules. A node that is a logical entry is constituted by one or more sub-modules that are physical entries. The submodule includes one or more units that are logical entries. In this case, the submodule can be distinguished by distinguishing the unit.

[0015] As shown in FIG.
In this case, a plurality of physical entries cannot exist in one logical entry node. However, FIG.
In the example of the node configuration shown in (1), a plurality of submodules as physical entries can exist in a node as one logical entry. This can solve the problem of wasteful consumption of the node ID. Also, for example, a terminal of a wireless device can function as a sub-module, and one certain wireless network can function as one IEEE 1394 node.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a serial bus using sub-modules. 2, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The module 12a (module A) includes an IEEE1394 communication unit 13a
And a storage unit 14a and a host controller 15a. This module 12a is a physical entry defined in document [1] and functions as a node A.

The sub-module 16b (sub-module B) includes an IEEE1394 communication unit 13b, a storage unit 14b, a host controller 15b, and an inter-unit communication unit 17b for performing communication between units. The sub-module 16c (sub-module C) is stored in the storage unit 14c.
, A host controller 15c, and an inter-unit communication unit 17c for performing communication between units.

Here, the IEEE1394 communication unit has functions of an IEEE1394 link layer and a physical layer. It may include a transaction layer. The storage unit stores C in documents [1] and [2].
It includes RAM and ROM functioning as SR. The host controller has an IEEE1394 transaction layer, an application layer, and the like.

Module 12a and submodule 1
6b is connected by the IEEE1394 serial bus 11.
The sub-module 16b and the sub-module 16c are
They are connected by an inter-unit communication bus 18. The inter-unit communication bus 18 includes PCI, USB, IEEE1394,
This is a general-purpose bus that can also be configured as a communication bus such as SCSI, IrDA, or Bluetooth.

In this example, sub-module 16b functions as units A and B, sub-module 16c functions as unit C, and
One IEEE1394 node D is constituted by b and 16c. IEEE1394 communication unit 13 in sub-module 16b
b functions as an IEEE1394 bus interface of the node D composed of the submodules 16b and 16c. Therefore, the IEEE1394 serial bus 11 has two IEEE1394
Nodes A and D are connected.

In this example, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, there are three physical entries in the network, but only two node IDs are consumed. Also, by making the sub-modules 16b and 16c wireless devices,
These wireless devices can function as node D, which is one logical entry.

Next, an example of packet transmission between sub-modules will be described. Here, in FIG.
Let's consider a packet P addressed to the unit C of the node D sent from the node D. This can be rephrased as a procedure for transmitting the packet P from the module A to the submodule C. Here, as the CSR addressing of the node D, the addressing example shown in FIG. 7 described above is used.

The packet P output from the IEEE 1394 communication unit 13a of the module A (12a) to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 11 is first transmitted to the sub-module B (16b).
94 Received by the communication unit 13b. Packet P received
Is processed by the host controller 15b. The host controller 15b determines that the received packet P is an asynchronous write / read / lock request packet.
If it is any of the above, the value of the destination offset (destination_offset) in the packet P is read.
The destination offset is the memory address of the destination node, and is described in detail in the document [1].
In addition, the format of the asynchronous packet is also defined in the document [1], and the description is omitted.

Next, when the value R of the destination offset satisfies an address C ≦ R <address D, it is determined that the packet P is addressed to the unit C, and the packet P is transmitted to the inter-unit communication unit 17b. Then, the packet P is passed to the inter-unit communication unit 17c of the sub-module C (16c) via the inter-unit communication bus 18, and is processed by the host controller 15c.
Thus, the transmission of the packet P addressed to the unit C of the node D from the node A is completed.

The host controller 15c may send a response packet (response packe) to the asynchronous write / read / lock request as necessary.
t) Perform Q issuance processing. Host controller 15c
Sends the information necessary for the response packet Q to the inter-unit communication unit 17b of the submodule B via the inter-unit communication unit 17c and the inter-unit communication bus 18.

Next, the data for the response packet Q received by the inter-unit communication section 17b is directly sent to the IEEE1394 communication section 13b or the host controller 1
5b to the IEEE1394 communication unit 13b. Finally, a response packet Q is transmitted to the IEEE1394 serial bus 11 by the IEEE1394 communication unit 13b. If the response packet Q is addressed to the module A, the IEEE1394 communication unit 13a of the module A receives the response packet Q, and performs a process corresponding to the response in the module A.

Note that, in the example of FIG.
(16c) functions as the unit C of the node D. For this purpose, the information of the unit C to be recorded from the address C to the address D is stored in the storage unit 14 of the submodule C.
c.

FIG. 3 shows another example of a node configuration using sub-modules. Nodes that are logical entries are
It is composed of sub-modules that are one or more physical entries. In this case, at the same time, a submodule which is one or more physical entries also constitutes a unit which is one logical entry. The submodule includes one or more subunits that are logical entries. In this case, by distinguishing the subunits, the submodules can be distinguished.

In the node configuration example shown in FIG.
A plurality of sub-entries, which are physical entries, exist in a node, which is one logical entry, and FIG.
As in the case of the node configuration shown in FIG. 1, the problem of wasteful consumption of the node ID can be solved, and a certain wireless network can function as one IEEE1394 node.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of a serial bus using sub-modules. In FIG. 4, portions corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The module 12a (module A)
An EE1394 communication unit 13a, a storage unit 14a, and a host controller 15a are provided. This module 12a
Is a physical entry defined in document [1] and functions as node A.

The sub-module 16b (sub-module B) includes an IEEE1394 communication unit 13b, a storage unit 14b, a host controller 15b, and an inter-sub-unit communication unit 19b for performing communication between sub-units.
The sub-module 16c (sub-module C) includes a storage unit 14c, a host controller 15c, and an inter-sub-unit communication unit 19c for performing communication between the sub-units.

Module 12a and submodule 1
6b is connected by the IEEE1394 serial bus 11.
The sub-module 16b and the sub-module 16c are
They are connected by an inter-subunit communication bus 20. This inter-subunit communication bus 20 is similar to the inter-unit communication bus 18 in FIG.
It is a general-purpose bus that can also be configured as a communication bus such as 94, SCSI, IrDA, Bluetooth, or the like.

In this example, the sub-module 16b functions as sub-units A and B,
c functions as a subunit C, and the submodules 16b and 16c constitute one IEEE1394 node D. The IEEE1394 communication unit 13b in the submodule 16b functions as an IEEE1394 bus interface of the node D composed of the submodules 16b and 16c.
Therefore, the IEEE1394 serial bus 11 has two IEs.
EE1394 nodes A and D are connected.

In this example, as in the example shown in FIG. 8, there are three physical entries in the network, but only two node IDs are consumed. Also, by making the sub-modules 16b and 16c wireless devices,
These wireless devices can function as node D, which is one logical entry.

Next, an example of packet transmission between sub-modules will be described. Here, in FIG.
Let's consider a packet P addressed to the subunit C of the node D sent from the node P. This can be rephrased as a procedure for transmitting the packet P from the module A to the submodule C.

FIG. 5 shows an example of CSR addressing of the node D. Since the 16-bit field determined by the bus ID and the node ID is omitted, a 48-bit intra-node CSR address space is shown. The numbers in the figure are
The register address is represented in hexadecimal notation.
In FIG. 5, the address area of the unit A is allocated to the CSR address area. Addresses A and B each represent an address value, and addresses from address A to address B are assigned to unit A.

Further, in FIG. 5, the address areas of the subunits A to C are assigned to the address area of the unit A. Addresses As to Ds each represent an address value.
Up to the sub-unit A, from the address Bs to the address C
It is assumed that up to s is allocated to the subunit B, and from address Cs to the address Ds is allocated to the subunit C. The addresses of these subunits A to C, that is, the address offset information of each subunit, are recorded in the unit directory (Unit_derectory) of the configuration (Configuration) ROM.

The packet P output from the IEEE 1394 communication unit 13a of the module A (12a) to the IEEE 1394 serial bus 11 is first transmitted to the sub-module B (16b).
94 Received by the communication unit 13b. Packet P received
Is processed by the host controller 15b. When the received packet P is any one of the asynchronous write / read / lock request packet, the host controller 15b reads the value of the destination offset in the packet P.

Next, when the value R of the destination offset satisfies an address Cs ≦ R <address Ds,
It determines that the packet P is addressed to the subunit C, and transmits the packet P to the inter-subunit communication unit 19b.
Then, the packet P is passed to the inter-sub-unit communication unit 19c of the sub-module C (16c) via the inter-sub-unit communication bus 20, and the
Processed by Thus, from node A to node D
The transmission of the packet P addressed to the subunit C is completed.

Further, the host controller 15c may send a response packet (response packe) to the asynchronous write / read / lock request as necessary.
t) Perform Q issuance processing. Host controller 15c
Sends the information required for the response packet Q to the inter-sub-unit communication unit 19b of the sub-module B via the inter-sub-unit communication unit 19c and the inter-sub-unit communication bus 20.

Next, the data for the response packet Q received by the inter-subunit communication section 19b is directly
94 sent to the communication unit 13b or sent to the IEEE1394 communication unit 13b via the host controller 15b. Finally, a response packet Q is transmitted to the IEEE1394 serial bus 11 by the IEEE1394 communication unit 13b. If this response packet Q is addressed to module A,
The IEEE1394 communication unit 13a of the module A receives the response packet Q, and a process corresponding to the response is performed in the module A.

In the example of FIG. 4, the submodule C
(16c) functions as a subunit C of the unit A of the node D. Therefore, information on the subunit C to be recorded from the address Cs to the address Ds is stored in the storage unit 14c of the submodule C.

In the above-described embodiment, the one in which the IEEE1394 node D as one logical entry is constituted by the two sub-modules 16b and 16c has been described, but the IEEE1394 node as one logical entry is constituted. The number of sub-modules is not limited to this.

[0045]

According to the present invention, there is provided a node which is one logical entry constituted by a plurality of physical entries, and a plurality of physical entries can function as one node. Resources can be saved. For example, when one wireless network is configured by a plurality of wireless devices, the entire wireless network can function as a node that is one logical unit, and one node ID may be assigned to the entire wireless network. The resource of the node ID can be saved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a node configuration using submodules.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram (in the case of using a unit) showing a configuration example of a serial bus using submodules.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of a node configuration using submodules.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a serial bus using sub-modules (when sub-units are used);

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of CSR addressing (when a subunit is used) in a node.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a node configuration using a conventional module.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of CSR addressing in a node.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional serial bus.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... IEEE1394 serial bus, 12a ... module, 13a, 13b ... IEEE1394 communication unit, 14a ~
14c: storage unit, 15a to 15c: host controller, 16b, 16c: submodule, 17
b, 17c: communication unit between units, 18: communication bus between units, 19b, 19c: communication unit between subunits, 20: communication bus between subunits

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An electronic device comprising a node which is one logical entry constituted by a plurality of physical entries. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the physical entry has a unit that is a logical entry. 3. The physical entry further includes a storage unit for the unit, wherein the storage unit stores storage information in an address space allocated to the unit. The electronic device according to claim 2. 4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the physical entry has a communication unit for communicating with another physical entry. 5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the physical entry has a subunit that is a logical entry. 6. The physical entry further comprises a storage unit for the subunit, wherein the storage unit stores storage information in an address space allocated to the subunit. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein 7. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the physical entry has a communication unit for communicating with another physical entry.